The carbonation also upsets a lot of peoples stomachs after the surgery. I find I don't even crave/want soda any more. So many healthier things to drink.

We've been told repeatedly in my post-op classes and support groups that carbonated beverages can stretch your stomach. Just pretend they don't exist.

I was told it was a "toleration" thing. Many post-sleevers cannot tolerate the soda at all. Either because of the carbonation (even "flat" soda still has enough to notice!) or because of the high acid content. I was told that it would essentially be up to me whether I could drink it or not. I was never a heavy soda drinker as I am not fond of "the bubbles" (even as a child I would use a straw to blow out all of the fizziness) but every once in awhile it is nice as a change.

I could not tolerate it at all the first year or so. Now at three years old I can have a glass if I want, but I have to either stir it a ton or blow the fizziness out before I can. It's rather amusing.. both my mom and my 8 year old sister have gotten into the habit of sticking a straw in it and blowing out the fizziness before they bring me a cup

Oh, and my Dr. though that the whole "stretch out your sleeve" was total BS... she just told me to stay mindful of the amount I drank. For many people, soda is one of their main "vices" that contributed to their weight gain in the first place... in that case, staying away from it for life would be great advice.

At the support group the attending Dr. said that drinking carbonated beverages on your smaller stomach is like shaking a can of soda and then opening it. The gas has to go somewhere and you don't have room for it. you will either throw up or other gas issues will occur. I have also been told that the sleeved stomach does not stretch. I for one do not like the bloated feeling or gas pains and to give up soda is not a problem for me.

I do have a friend that had a gastric bypass and she will occasionally have a beer or diet soda, she said it hurts but she likes it more than the pain. She has also gained back more that half the weight she lost.

As a former Diet Coke junkie I am finding that water, or tea do just fine, I drink Crystal Light if I want something different.

My favorite flavored water is carbonated. Because it's zero calories NAD zero sodium (I am very sodium semsitive and retain water weight easily) I do drink it, but I take a few sips and then shake the carbonation out. My tummy just does not like the carbonation at all. I feel uncomfortably full really fast and getting the burps out isn't easy. If it wasn't so hard to find a good tasting, zero sodium flavored water I would switch. But again, I shake out all the carbonation.

PS - had beer for the first time last week. Can't shake the carbonation out of that. Had a small glass, got maybe a 1/4 of it down and that took me a good hour as I sipped slowly. Just a 1/4 and I was very full and buzzed! The co-workers had a lot of fun at my expense and one of them got to finish my almost full glass of beer! :laugh:

I was a diet coke junkie for sure and have craved them on occasion since my surgery (May 22, 2014). My doctor also discouraged against drinking them for all of the reasons that people have posted. I am glad to read the experiences because this makes me not want to even try to drink them. I stick with tea sweetened with Splenda, Crystal Light, water with lemon, and Isopure.